Printing arrangement for business machine



. 7, 1965 H. PIETZSCH PRINTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1963 Dec. 7, 1965 H. PlETZSCH 3,221,863

PRINTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VAIIIIIII/I/I/I/IIII/m INVENTOR Harm Pifzr A ba- Dec. 7, 1965 H. PIETZSCH PRINTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb.

AZ ME Dec. 7, 1965 H. PIETZSCH 3,221,863

PRINTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSINESS MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1363 4 Sheets-Sheet 4- United States Patent 3,221,863 PRINTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUSHNESS MACHINE Hans Pietzseh, Black Forest, Germany, assignor to Kimzle Apparate G.m.h.H., Black Forest, Germany Filed Feb. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 257,320 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 13, 1962,

45,863 20 Claims. (Cl. 197-18) The present invention relates to a printing arrangement for business machines, and more particularly to a text printing arrangement for an accounting machine.

Business machines, such as accounting machines use either a conventional typewriter mechanism, or rotary type wheels for printing text portions. The type wheel arrangement has the advantage that the printing area can be arranged in the region of the printing area of the calculator printing means which print numbers.

When all necessary characters and symbols are provided on a single type wheel, the type wheel is comparatively large and heavy, and does not permit very high printing speeds.

This disadvantage is eliminated when a plurality of type wheels is used, but the constructions according to the prior art require the selection of the respective type wheel by the operator.

It is the object of the present invention to provide in a business machine a printing arrangement operable at high speed, and requiring the actuation of a single key only for the purpose of selecting a type to be imprinted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a business machine a printing arrangement using a plurality of rotary type wheels which are automatically selected and operated when a single key is actuated by the operator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in an accounting machine a text printing arrangement including two type wheels each of which carries types corresponding to a group of characters and symbols so that all necessary characters and symbols are distributed over the two type wheels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing arrangement including two type wheels, and to control the type wheels in such a manner that upon operation of a selected key, one of the type wheels is stopped in a corresponding printing position, and automatically moved toward the platen to produce an imprint.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing arrangement in which upon actuation of a key, a continuously rotating type wheel is stopped in a corresponding printing position, and automatically moved by power drive means toward the platen to produce an imprint.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing arrangement composed of a control unit and a printing unit which are connected by simple transmission means so that the control unit and the printing unit can be mounted in the casing of a standard business machine wherever space is available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a printing arrangement in which the manual operation of a key results in the selection of a corresponding type, and in a printing operation with the corresponding type while the necessary power is provided by a motor.

A printing arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention comprises two supports movable toward and away from a platen and respectively carrying type members each of which is movable between a plurality of printing positions. The support and type members, and associated elements form a printing unit. A set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of the two type members operates control means which connect the keys with the supports and type members. The arrangement is such that upon actuation of any key one of the supports is moved toward the platen with a respective type member in a position in which the type corresponding to the actuated key confronts the platen. In this manner, the type represented by the actuate-d key engages the platen. The keys and associated elements form a control unit which is connected by a transmission means to the printing unit, so that the control unit and the printing unit can be arranged Wherever space is available in a standard business machine, such as an accounting machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, two type wheels are mounted on two supporting levers, and are continuously rotated between printing positions in such a manner that one or the other type wheel is in a printing position. Upon operation of a key, selector means are actuated to stop the type wheel having the type corresponding to the actuated key in a printing position in which the respective type confronts the platen. The key operation also initiates the operation of actuating means by the drive means so that the actuating means cause a movement of the support carrying the respective type wheel toward the platen.

The two type wheels and the corresponding supports are spaced along the platen equal distances from the printing area, so that the selected support and type wheel are not only moved toward the platen, but also shifted along the platen to a printing position located opposite the printing area on the platen. Such shifting is accomplished by cam means acting on the support of the selected type Wheel.

A selector shaft is provided in the control unit, and can be stopped in a number of angularly spaced selector positions, depending on which key is selected and actuated. The selector shaft is connected for rotation with both type wheels, so that the same are stopped when the selector shaft is stopped in the selected position. One of the stopped type wheels is in the proper turned position to imprint the selected type of the selected key on a sheet of paper on the platen. Clearing means are automatically operated by the power drive means to clear the selector mechanism of the control unit after each printing operation.

Preferably, the type wheel having the selected type is automatically locked in the correct position before and while the printing operation takes place.

The actuator means operate both type wheel supports, and therefore it is necessary to sense by feeler means which type wheel has been stopped in a printing position, and to couple only this type wheel to the actuating means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view taken on line I1 in FIG. 4 and illustrating the control unit of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. la is a perspective View illustrating details of FIG. 1,

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line IIII in FIG. 5 and illustrating the printing unit of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the printing unit in an operative printing position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line IIIIII in FIG. 4 and illustrating a detail of the control unit;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in an operative position;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the control unit, the view being expanded and distorted to more clearly show the parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the print ng unit, and constituting a somewhat distorted continuation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a detail of the control unit; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating a detail of the printing unit.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to the control unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a key lever 11 of a conventional key-board, forms a parallelogram linkage with a link 14 and a pair of transverse links 12 and 13. Links 12 and 13 are respectively mounted for pivotal movement on frame parts 15 and 16 which are comb-shaped to guide all links 12 and 13 of all key levers of the key-board. Forty-eight keys and key levers 11 may be provided, corresponding to forty-eight characters and symbols of a standard key-board, and the links 13 of all keys are aligned in a row and guided in slots of the comb-shaped support 16. A spring 47 is secured to a fixed frame part and to each link 12 and urges each key to a normal position. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the key levers 11, and of related elements operated thereby, for the sake of clarity in a distorted and expanded position.

When a key lever 11 is operated, the respective link 13 turns about shaft 17 in counterclockwise direction so that a transverse projection 19 thereon engages a shoulder of latch 20 which is secured by a pin 21 to a lever 22. Lever 22 is urged by spring 46 to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and is connected by another spring to the projecting portion 45 of link 20. Another latch 26 cooperates with each lever 22, and has a transverse projection 23 abutting a shoulder of the respective lever 22. Each latch 26 is urged by spring to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 about a pin 24, and all latches 26 are aligned in a row and guided in corresponding slots of the comb-shaped frame portion on which shaft 24 is mounted.

When a key is operated, and a link .13 urges a latch 20 with lever 22 downward, projection 23 of the respective latch 26 is released, and spring 25 urges the respective latch 26 to turn in counterclockwise direction to a posi tion engaging a transverse projection 27 of :1 corresponding selector member 28 which is turnably mounted on shaft 4. Each selector member 28 carries a lever 30 turnable about a pin 28', and is located directly adjacent a member 29 which is secured to shaft 4. A spring 31 connects each lever 36 with a corresponding member 29, and urges lever 30 against the peripheral surface of member 29, while the corresponding selector member 28 is turned in counterclockwise direction until the shoulder 32 of lever 30 abuts the corresponding radial projection of member 29.

Assuming that forty-eight key lever actions are provided, a corresponding number of angularly spaced selector members 28, 27 is mounted on shaft 4 so that the transverse projections 27 are spaced from each other in circumferential direction the fortyeighth part of 360. Therefore, when a key lever 11 is depressed, and the corresponding linkage system including members 13, 20, 22, and 26 is actuated, the respective stop latch 26 will move down to cooperate with the respective selector member 28.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, a pulley 1 to which two stepped wheels 2 and 3 are secured, is freely turnable about shaft 4, and driven through a belt by a motor, not shown, to continuously rotate about shaft 4. A toothed disc 5 is fixedly secured to shaft 4 and carries a turnable coupling pawl 6 cooperating with the stepped coupling 4 wheel 2 so that shaft 4 is rotated when coupling pawl 6 engages the stepped coupling wheel 2.

A pin 7 is secured to the toothed disc 5 and projects into a cutout 8' of a similar toothed disc 8 which is mounted on a hub of disc 5 for turning movement.

A spring 9 connects pin 7 with a projection of disc 8 so that disc 8 is connected by spring 9 and pin 7 for turning movement with disc 5. A projecting pin 10 is secured to pawl 6 and is received in a cutout 8 of disc 8. Spring 9 urges discs 5 and 8 to a relative angular position in which pin 10 is displaced by disc 8 to move to a position in which coupling pawl 6 engages the stepped coupling wheel 2. The teeth on the peripheries of discs 5 and 8 face in opposite directions.

Due to the action of spring 9, the coupling means 5, 6, 2 is normally in a coupled position, and shaft 4 continuously rotates. When a key is operated, and a stop member 26 is placed in a stop position cooperating with the projection 27 of the corresponding selector member 28, the latter is stopped together with lever 39. Member 29 continues to rotate with shaft 4 and its projection turns the corresponding lever 30 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 whereby an elongated plate 33 extending along all members 30 is raised so as to turn a shifting shaft 33' in counterclockwise direction.

Due to the fact that the projections 27 of selector members 28 are angularly spaced from each other, shaft 33 will be turned in different angular positions of shaft 4, corresponding on the selection of a key lever 11.

When shaft 33' is turned a small angle by any one of the levers 30, a stop lever 34 is rocked in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6, and engages the toothed periphery of disc 8, as best seen in FIG. 6. Disc *8 is stopped, while coupling pawl 6 and disc 5 continue at first to be turned by the coupling wheel 2 while spring 9 expands and pin 7 moves in the cutout 8'. During such relative angular movement of disc 5 relative to the stopped disc 8, the edge of cutout 8" exerts a camming action on pin 10 so that the same is urged outwardly in cutout 8" and out of the same until pawl 6 no longer couples discs 5 with the stepped coupling wheel 2 of drive means 1.

A second stop lever 35 is mounted for turning movement on shaft 33' and has a projection engaged by a pin 34' of stop lever 34. A spring 35' urges pin 34 against the projection of the second stop lever 35. When stop lever 34 moves to the stop position engaging the teeth of disc 8, stop lever 35 is resiliently urged to a stop position engaging the teeth of disc 5, and when the coupling connection between disc 5 and the drive means 1, 2 is interrupted, as above described, disc 5 is stopped by the stop lever 35 engaging the teeth of disc 5. Since disc 5 is fixedly secured to shaft 4,the same is locked in an angular position related to the angular position of the transverse projection 27 of selector member 28 which was selected and stopped by the corresponding key linkage including key lever 11 and stop latch 26.

Operation of any key 11 will first cause disengagement of the selector shaft 4 from the drive means 1, 2, and thereupon stopping of the selector shaft 4 in an angular position depending on the angular position of a selector member 27, 28 selected by operation of the corresponding key lever 11.

Another lever means 37 is secured by a bridge 36 to stop lever 35 and is turnable with the same about shaft 33'. Lever 37 cooperates with a latch 39 movably mounted on a lever 38 which is secured to an actuating shaft 42. When stop lever 35 moves to the stop position engaging disc 5, lever 37 turns a corresponding angle and displaces latch 39 to a position located in the path of movement of the teeth of the stepped coupling wheel 3. Since coupling wheel 3 rotates continuously, latch 39 is engaged, and lever 38 is turned with actuator shaft 42 until latch 39 is again released by the stepped coupling wheel 3, and latch 39 with lever 38 returns to the normal position shown in FIG. 3 under the action of a spring 40 which connects latch 39 with lever 38. A spring 41 is connected to lever 38, and cooperates in the return of lever 38 to its normal position. Consequently, whenever shaft 4 is stopped by engagement between stop lever 35 and the fixed disc 5 on shaft 4, actuator shaft 42 will be angularly rocked by lever 38, the necessary power being supplied by the motor-driven drive means 1, 3.

When lever 38 with actuator shaft 42 turn in counterclockwise direction, a lever 43 secured to shaft 42 is also turned so that an elongated bar 44 moves to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 and engages the projection 45 of the latch 20 which was previously released by the operation of the respective key lever 11. Latch 20 is turned in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1 so as to release projection 19 of link 13, and to engage stop lever 26 and to turn the same in clockwise direction from the stop position engaging projection 27 to the normal position shown in FIG. 1 in which projection 23 of stop lever 26 is again engaged and locked by lever 22. As soon as stop lever 26 releases selector member 28, 27, lever 30 is returned by spring 31 to its normal position, and shaft 33 with plate 33 can turn in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 so that stop levers 34 and 35 release the corresponding teeth of discs 8 and 5. The tensioned spring 9 turns discs 5 and 8 to a relative angular position in which coupling pawl 6 is moved by pin to a coupling position engaging coupling wheel 2 so that shaft 4 is again driven from the drive means 1. In this manner, the mechanism is cleared, and ready for the next key operation.

It is immaterial whether the respective key 11 is still depressed, or already released, since latch was separated during the clearing operation from the projection 19 of link 13 of the key lever linkage. When key 11 is released, projection 19 rises to a higher position, and is again engaged and locked by the 'springdoaded latch 20.

Consequently, the angular rocking of actuator lever 38 effects not only rocking of actuator shaft 42, but also rocking of clearing lever 43 which restores the actuated stop lever 26 to its normal position, and effects coupling of the stopped selector shaft 4 with the drive means, so that selector shaft 4 starts its rotation again.

All the above described structural elements form a control unit which is shown in FIG. 4. The selector shaft 4 and the actuator shaft 42 project from the control unit of FIG. 4, and are connected to the printing unit shown in FIG. 5. It will be noted that the control unit and the printing unit are connected by two rotary elements only, so that the control unit and the printing unit may be placed at selected locations of an accounting machine, or other business machine, and 'since each unit is small and compact, it is very easy to improve a standard accounting machine by adding the 'control unit and typing unit where sufi'icient space is found in the standard machine.

The printing unit, which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is controlled by selector shaft 4, and actuated by actuator shaft '42. A gear pulley 48 is secured to the end of selector shaft 4, and drives the main shaft 51 of the printing unit through a toothed belt 49 and another gear pulley 50. Shaft 51 is mounted in a casing frame 80 and carries fixed selector and positioning discs =52 and 52. Gear pulleys 54 and 54' are respectively located adjacent positioning discs 52 and 52 and coupled to the same by axially extending coupling pins 53 and 53 so that each positioning disc 52 or 52' remains coupled to the corresponding gear pulley 54 or 54' when the same is shifted in axial direction along shaft 51. Each gear pulley 54 and 54 has a hub portion on which supports 58 and 58' 'are mounted for turning movement, but non-movable in axial direction. Consequently, supports 53, '53 can be shifted independently of each other in axial direction together with the corresponding gear pulleys 54 and 54' while gear pulleys remain coupled to selector discs 52 and 52 for 6 rotation, while supports 58 and 58' do not turn with gear pulleys 54 and 54'.

Each support 58 and 58' carries at its outer end another gear pulley 56 and 56, respectively, which are respectively connected to printing wheels 57 and 57' for turning movement. Toothed belts 55 and 55' run over gear pulleys 54, 56 and 54', 56'.

As explained above, shaft 4 is normally coupled to the drive means and rotates continuously so that main shaft 51 also rotates continuously together with the positioning discs 52, 5 2' and gear pulleys 54 and '54. Consequently, the type wheel 57 and 57' rotate continuously since they are driven by the transmissions 54, 55, 56 and '54, 55, 56.

Each type wheel 57 and 57' has twenty-four type faces and is turnable between twenty-four printing positions. In each printing position one type face with a type thereon confronts the platen 69, as best seen in FIG. 2. However, the type wheels 57 and 57' are in a relative angular position in which the type faces thereof are staggered half the pitch so that either a type face of type wheel 57, or a type face of type Wheel 57 fully confronts platen 69 in a printing position, while the respective other type wheel is in a staggered position in which a notch between two type faces confronts the platen 69.

As was explained above, selector shaft 4 can be stopped in forty-eight angular selector positions, and since the type wheels 57 and 57' are connected to selector shaft 4 for synchronous rotation, the type faces of type wheels 57 and 57 will be alternately in a printing position when selector shaft 4 moves through successive selector positions. When selector shaft 4 is stopped, one or the other type wheel will be in .a printing position in which one of the type faces thereof fully faces the platen 69.

It is evident from FIGS. 2 and 5 that the type wheels 57 and 57 are spaced along the length of platen 69. The actual printing area on platen 69 is located in the plane of symmetry passing perpendicularly to shaft 51 between type wheels '57 and 57'. Therefore, it is not sufficient that one or the other support '58 or '58 is turned with the corresponding type wheel 57 and 57' toward platen 69, but it is also necessary that the respective actuated support is moved along shaft 51 to a position in which the respective type wheel '57 or 57' is located opposite the pnntmg area on platen 69, or in other words in the plane of symmetry between the normal inoperative positions of the type wheels 57 and 57.

Due to the fact that each support 58 and 58' is shiftable with the respective gear pulley 54 and 54' along shaft 51, it is possible to place each support in the central printing position, while the other support remains in its normal inoperative position.

As best seen in FIG. 7, supports 58 and 58' have cam portions 71 and 71 cooperating with each other, and other cam portions 72 and 72 cooperating with stationary earns 73 and 73' on the frame 89 of the machine.

When either support lever 58 or 53 moves to the right as viewed in FIG. 7, corresponding to clockwise turning in FIG. 2, it is guided by the stationary earns 73 or 73' toward the central position in which the type Wheel is located exactly in the printing area when engaging the platen 69 with a printing face.

When the respective actuated support returns from its printing position to its normal position while turning in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, cam 71, or cam 71', is effective to cause movement of the returnmg support away from the other support and to its normal inoperative position spaced along the platen the same distance as the respective other support.

To perform a printing operation, one or the other support must be turned from its inoperative position to its printing position, which is effected by the actuator shaft 42 after both type wheels 57 and 57' were stopped together with the selector shaft 4.

When stop lever 35 has stopped the selector shaft 4 and the type wheels 57 and 57, lever 37 couples the latch 39 with the drive wheel 3 so that actuator lever 38 rocks actuator shaft 42, as explained above. A lever 60 is secured to actuator shaft 42 and pivotally connected to an actuator rod 59 which is pivotally connected by a joint 84 to a bridge member 61 having a transverse yoke 81 and two legs 82 and 82' by which bridge member 81 is mounted on shaft 51 of the printing unit. The legs 82, 82' have inwardly projecting portions 62 and 62, respectively, and a pair of other projections 67 and 67, respectively. For the sake of clarity, the yoke 81 is shown partly broken off in FIG. in the region of the supports 58 and 58', and the legs 82 and 82' are shown partly broken off in the region of the shaft 85.

Shaft 85 turnably supports combined feeler and coupling means 63 and 63', each of which is a three-armed lever. Levers 63 and 63' are respectively engaged by the projections 62 and 62 of the bridge member 61. A feeler arm 63a, or 63a of each member 63, or 63 cooperates with a selector and positioning disc 52 or 52', and a coupling arm 63/) or 63b has a roller 64 or 64 cooperating with latches 65 or 65 which are mounted on pins 68, 68' on supports 58 or 58. Parts of members 63 and 63' in the region of projections 67 and 67 are broken off and omitted in FIG. 5 for the sake of clarity.

Latches 65 and 65 have cutout projections 66 cooperating with projections 67 and 67'. Springs 86 connect latches 65 and 65 with supports 58 and 58' and bias the latches to turn in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 so that the latches tend to engage the rollers 64 and 64'. When a key is operated, and actuator shaft 42 is rocked, actuator rod 59 turns bridge member 61 in clockwise direction about shaft 51. Projections 62 and 62 move away from levers 63 and 63 which are turned by the respective latches 65, 65' under the action of springs 86 to turn in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 so that the feeler arms 63a and 63a sense the positions of the positioning discs 52 and 52.

Each positioning disc 52 or 52 has twenty-four projections and twenty-four recesses, and is connected to the respective type wheel 57 or 57 in such a manner that a recess thereof is located opposite a transverse projection at the end of the corresponding feeler arm when the respective type wheel is in a printing position with one of the type faces thereof confronting the platen. Since the type faces of the two type wheels are staggered half the pitch, it follows that a projection of one positioning disc 52 or 52 will be located opposite the transverse projection of the respective feeler arm when a notch of the respective other positioning disc is engaged by the projection of the respective feeler arm.

It has been explained above that only one of the type wheels is in a printing position in which the type face confronts the platen, and the feeler arms 63a or 63a lock the respective operative type wheel in the printing position selected by stopping selector shaft 4.

Only one feeler arm 63a or 63a can engage a recess or notch in a positioning disc 52 or 52, and the respective combined sensing and coupling member 63 or 63 performs an angular movement in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 so that the respective roll 64 or 64' releases the respective latch 65 or 65 which turns in counterclockwise direction until its coupling projection 66 engages projection 67 of bridge member 61. The respective other sensing and coupling member engages with its feeler arm a projection of the respective positioning disc, and cannot turn.

The turning movement of bridge member 61 in clockwise direction under the control of actuator rod 59 continues, but the bridge member is now coupled by the respective turned latch 65 or 65' to the respective support 58 or 58'. Consequently, latches 65 and 65' act as coupling means connecting the actuating means 42, 59, 61 with the supports 58 and 53 respectively, and are selectively actuated by the feeler and coupling levers 63 and 63 to move to a coupling position in which projection 66 engages projection 67 whereby the actuating means are coupled by the combined feeler and coupling means 63, 63', 65, 65 to the supports 58 and 58, respectively.

The support 58, or 58 which is turned by the actuating means in clockwise direction so that their respective type wheel moves toward the platen 69, is shifted by the action of earns 73 and 73' to a central position located opposite the printing area of the platen. Y

Each support 58 and 58 has a projection 70 which, as best seen in FIG. 2 cooperates with a corresponding roller 64 or 64'. When the respective support moves toward the platen 63, the cam portion 7% acts on the respective roller 64 to turn the respective feeler and coupling lever 63 farther in clockwise direction so that the projection at the end of the feeler arm passes into a narrower inner portion of the already engaged recess or notch of the positioning disc 52 whereby all play is eliminated, and the respective type wheel is locked accurately in a printing position in which a type face thereof confronts the platen.

OPERATION It is assumed that one character or symbol is selected by operating the corresponding key 11. The corresponding type could be provided on type wheel 57 or on type wheel 57', and it is assumed that the type is located on one of the twenty-four printing faces of type Wheel 57.

Shaft 4 is coupled to drive means 1 by the coupling means 5, 6, 2 and rotates continuously with forty-eight angularly spaced selector members 28, 27, and fortyeight levers 30 respectively mounted on selector members 28. Shaft 4 is connected by transmission means 48, 49 to the main shaft 51 of the printing unit, and main shaft 51 drives through transmission means 54, 55, 56 the type wheel 57, and through transmission means 54', 55', 56' the type wheel 57' so that the staggered and offset printing faces of the two type wheels alternately assume printing positions confronting the platen 69.

When the selected key lever 11 is actuated by the operator, link 13 turns and shifts lever 22 through latch 26 in counterclockwise direction so that stop latch 26 is released and is turned by spring 25 to a stop position in which it is located in the circular path of the projection 27 of the respective associated selector member 28. The angular position of selector member 28, 27 relative to the corresponding type wheel 57 is such that when stop lever 26 engages and stops the corresponding selector member 28, 27, the type and printing face corresponding to the selected key lever 11 is located opposite platen 69.

When stop lever 26 stops the corresponding selector member 28, 27 in a predetermined angular position of shaft 4, the cam projection of the corresponding cam 29 acts on lever 39 to raise the same in clockwise direction so that shaft 33' is turned. The plate 33 is engaged by all forty-eight levers 30, so that operation of any selected key lever will result in turning of shaft 33. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the turning of shaft 33' will first effect locking of disc 8 by stop lever 34 whereby the coupling 6, 2 is disengaged so that shaft 4 is no longer positively driven. Thereupon, stop lever 35 will engage disc 5 which is fixed on shaft 4 and will lock selector shaft 4 in a predetermined angular position in which the respective printing face of type wheel 57 confronts the platen. The other type wheel 57 is also stopped in a staggered position in which no printing face thereof directly confronts the platen. In this manner, the desired and selected type is ready for the printing operation.

It is now necessary to turn the support lever 58 of the type wheel 57 from the inoperative position shown in FIG. 2 to an operative position shown in FIG. 2a in which the selected type and printing face engages the laten or a sheet of paper thereon.

When shaft 33 is rocked by the selector means 28, 33, lever 37 shifts Coupling latch 3? to a position engaging coupling wheel 3 which is fixed to the continuously rotating drive pulley means 1. Consequently, the drive means 1 rock through coupling means 3, 39, the actuator lever 38, the actuator shaft 42, the actuator rod 59 and the actuator bridge member at. These actuating means are common for both type Wheel supports 58 and 58'.

Bridge member 61 is turned in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 to release both feeler members 63 and 63 so that the same sense the positions of the positioning discs 52 and 52. The positioning disc 52 is in a position in which the feeler arm 63a abuts a projection, and the positioning disc of printing wheel 57 is in a position in which the projection at the end of feeler arm 63a can enter the outer wider part of a recess in positioning disc 52. This is due to the fact that a printing face of type wheel 57 is in an operative printing position.

The feeler lever 63 associated with the correct type wheel 57 is thus permitted to make a turning movement whereby the coupling latch 56 on the respective support 58 couples actuators bridge 61 to the respective support 58. Further turning movement of actuator bridge 61 will effect turning movement of support 58 to which actuator bridge 61 is now coupled. Since the other feeler lever 63' was not permitted to turn, the other support 58 is not coupled to the actuator bridge 61.

Consequently, only support 58 with the correct type wheel 57 is turned toward the platen, and during such turning movement, cam 73 is effective to shift support 58 toward support 58 and to a central position located opposite the printing area on platen 69. During such turning movement, the cam portion 70 of support 58 acts on roller 64 of the feeler lever 63 to move the projection at the end of arm 63a deeper into the inner narrower portion of the already engaged recess in positioning disc 52 so that the respective type and printing face of type wheel 57 is very precisely located with respect to platen 69 at the moment in which the printing engagement takes place.

Since the two supports 58 and 58' are spaced equal distances from the printing area in longitudinal direction of the platen, either support with the respective type wheel can be moved to the central printing position, when selected.

When the actuator shaft 42 is rocked back to its initial position upon release of the coupling means 3, 3% support 58 returns to its normal inoperative position, guided by cam means 71' and 71.

When actuator shaft 42 is rocked, clearing lever 43, 44 is also rocked, and turns latch 20, which is disengaged from link 13, 19, in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, to turn stop lever from the stop position in which it engages projection 27 to the illustrated inoperative position in which it is locked by release lever 22. Spring 31 returns lever to its normal position, permitting shaft 33' to turn back to its initial position so that stop levers 34 and 35 release the discs 8 and 5 to permit coupling pawl 6 to move to a coupling position engaging coupling wheel 2 so that shaft 4 is again rotated by the drive means 1. Type wheels 57 and 57 rotate again with selector shaft 4. The control unit shown in FIG. 4, and the printing unit shown in FIG. 5 are connected by a selector transmission including shaft 4, and by an actuator transmission including shaft 42. Therefore, it is easy to mount the control unit and the printing unit within the case of a standard accounting machine, and to connect the two units by suitable transmission means.

Although the types are distributed over two type wheels, the operation in nevertheless completely automatic, and by actuation of a single key of a standard key-board, the type wheel having the desired type is stopped in the correct position, and automatically moved by power drive means to the printing position.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of type wheel printing arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for automatically selecting a type wheel for a printing operation by operation of a single key, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structral changes may be made Without departing in any Way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen; two supports mounted for reciprocating movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen; two type members, each type member having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for movement between a plurality r of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen; first means for moving one of said supports, and second means for moving the other support with the respective type member; a set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of said type members; and means connecting said first group of keys with said first means, and connecting the other group of keys with said second means so that upon actuation of any key, one of said supports is moved toward said platen with the respective type member in a position in which the type corresponding to the actuated key confronts said platen until the type represented by the actuated key and moving with said one support produces a printing impact on said platen.

2. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for reciprocating movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having normal inoperative positions spaced in one direction from said platen, and spaced from each other and from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction; means for moving in said transverse direction each of said supports so that the support moves to a position of readiness located opposite said printing area; two type members, each type member having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for movement between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen; first means for moving one of said supports, and second means for moving the other support with the respective type member from said position of readiness in a printing stroke in said one direction toward said area so that said type members are spaced from each other in said one direction; a set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of said type members; and means connecting said first group of keys with said first means and with the respective type member, and connecting the other group of keys with said second means and the other type member. so that upon actuation of any key, one of said sup- 1 1 ports is moved toward said platen with the respective type member in a position in which the type corresponding to the actuated key confronts said printing area of said platen until the type represented by the actuated key and moving with said one support produces a printing impact on said printing area of said platen.

3. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for reciprocating turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having normal inoperative positions spaced in one direction from said platen, and spaced equal distances along said platen in a direction transverse to said one direction from a plane extending in said one direction from said printing area; means for moving in said transverse direction each of said supports during movement of the same toward said platen so that the support moves to a position of readiness located opposite said printing area; two type members, each type member having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about axes coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen; first means for moving one of said supports, and second means for moving the other support with the respective type member from said position of readiness in a printing stroke in said one direction toward said area so that said type members are spaced from each other in said one direction; a set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of said type members; stop means operated by each actuated key for stopping one of said type members in a printing position in which the type represented by the actuated key confronts said platen; and means connecting said first group of keys with said first means, and connecting the other group of keys with said second means so that upon actuation of any key, one of said supports is moved toward said platen with the respective type member stopped in a position in which the type corresponding to the actuated key is located in said plane and confronts said printing area of said platen until the type represented by the actuated key and moving with said one support produces a printing impact on said printing area of said platen.

4. A printing arrangement for a business machine comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; a printing unit including two supports mounted for turn ing movement independentlyof each other toward and away from said platen and having normal inoperative positions spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced corresponding distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen, two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheel coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, and means for moving in said transverse direction each of said supports with the respective type wheel during turning movement of said support so that the respective support turns to and from a position in which the respective type wheel is located opposite said printing area, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; a control unit including a set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of said type wheels, rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions respectively corresponding to said types of said type wheels and to said keys, and stop means operated by said keys, respectively, for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key; first transmission means for connecting said rotary selector means with said type wheels for rotation together so that the same are stopped when said rotary selector means is stopped; drive means for driving said selector means and type wheels; and second transmission means connecting said drive means with said supports and including coupling means controlled by said keys in such a manner that the support carrying the type wheel with a type associated with a selected key is actuated by said drive means to move toward said platen so that the respective type moving in the actuated support produces a printing impact on said platen.

5. A printing arrangement for a business machine comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; a printing unit including two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having normal inoperative positions spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced corresponding distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen, two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said sup ports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when a type of one of the type wheels confronts said platen in a printing position, the types of the respective other type wheel are staggered and offset, and means for moving in said transverse direction each of said supports with the respective type wheel during turning movement of said support so that the respective support turns to and from a position in which the respective type wheel is located opposite said printing area, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; a control unit including a set of keys including first and second groups of keys respectively representing the types of said type wheels rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions respectively corresponding to said types of said type wheels and to said keys and stop means operated by said keys respectively, for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key; first transmission means for connecting said rotary selector means with said type wheels for rotation together so that the same are stopped when said rotary selector means is stopped; drive means for driving said selector means and type wheels; and second transmission means connecting said drive means with said supports and including coupling means controlled by said keys in such a manner that the support carrying the type wheel with a type associated with a selected key is actuated by said drive means to move toward said platen so that the respective type moving in the actuated support produces a printing impact on said platen.

6. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector means and type wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels and moving to different coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; coupling means operated by said feeler means in said different coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

7. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which difierent types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type Wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position, said selector means including a selector shaft, a plurality of selector members respectively correlated with said types and being mounted on said shaft angularly spaced about the same corresponding to said printing positions of said type wheels, a shifting member mounted on each selector member, means secured to said selector shaft cooperating with each said shifting member to move the same to an actuated position when the respective selector member is stopped; rotary drive means; first coupling means having a coupling position for connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; a shifting means operated by said shifting member of each of said selector members and being connected to said first coupling means for disengaging the same when a selector member is stopped; stop means operated by each of said keys, respectively, to move to a stop position for stopping the associated selector member whereby said selector shaft is disconnected from said drive means and stops in a selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels and moving to different coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; second coupling means operated by said feeler means in said different coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

8. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being opera-tively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position, said selector means including a selector shaft, a plurality of selector members respectively correlated with said types and being mounted on said shaft angularly spaced about the same corresponding to said printing positions of said type wheels, a shifting member mounted on each selector member, means secured to said selector shaft cooperating with each said shifting member to move the same to an actuated position when the respective selector member is stopped; rotary drive means; first coupling means having a coupling position for connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; a shifting means operated by said shifting member of each of said selector members and being connected to said first coupling means for disengaging the same when a selector member is stopped; stop means operated by each of said keys, respectively, to move to a stop position for stopping the associated selector member; a stop member actuated by said shifting means; a toothed locking disc secured to said selector shaft and adapted to be engaged by said actuated stop member whereby said selector shaft is first disconnected from said drive means and then stopped and locked in a selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels and moving to different coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; second coupling means operated by said feeler means in said different coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

9. A printing arrangement as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first coupling means include a stepped wheel connected for rotation with said drive means; a pair of toothed discs having oppositely oriented teeth on the periphery thereof, one of said discs being secured to said selector shaft, and the other disc being mounted for turn ing movement on said selector shaft, said one disc supporting a coupling pawl cooperating with said stepped wheel for coupling said selector shaft with said drive means; resilient means connecting said discs and urging the same to assume a predetermined relative angular position; a pin secured to said pawl and engaging a camming surface of said other disc so that upon relative movement of said discs said coupling pawl is operated between a disengaging and a coupling position; a first stop lever actuated by said shifting means and cooperating with said teeth of said other disc for locking the same in one direction of rotation for causing movement of said coupling pawl to a disengaged position when a key is actuated; and a second stop lever operated by said shifting means for engaging said teeth of said one disc for stopping said selector shaft and for locking the same in the respective selector position against rotation in the opposite direction of rotation.

10. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, between a plurality of printing positions in which diiferent types thereof confront said platen, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position, said selector means including a selector shaft, a plurality of selector members respectively correlated with said types and being mounted on said shaft angularly spaced about the same corresponding to said printing positions of said type wheels, a shifting member mounted on each selector member, means secured to said selector shaft cooperating with each said shifting member to move the same to an actuated position when the respective selector member is stopped; rotary drive means; first coupling means having a coupling position for connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; a shifting means operated by said shifting member of each of said selector members and being connected to said first coupling means for disengaging the same when a selector member is stopped; stop means operated by each of said keys, respectively, to move to a stop position for stopping the associated selector member whereby said selector shaft is disconnected from said drive means and stops in a selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels and moving to different coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; actuating means; connecting means for connecting said actuating means with said drive means and being controlled by said shifting means in such a manner that said actuating means is operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; second coupling means operated by said feeler means in said different coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

11. A printing arrangement as set forth in claim 10 wherein said actuating means includes an actuator shaft and an actuator lever secured to said actuator shaft; said connecting means including a stepped coupling wheel continuously rotated by said drive means, and a coupling latch mounted on said actuator lever and being operated by said shifting means to move to a position engaged by said stepped coupling wheel whereby said actuator shaft is caused to perform a rocking motion for moving the respective support to which said actuating means is coupled by said second coupling means.

12. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said select-or positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position, said selector means including a selector shaft, a plurality of selector members respectively correlated with said types and being mounted on said shaft angularly spaced about the S me corresponding to said printing positions of said type wheels, a shifting member mounted on each selector means, means secured to said selector shaft cooperating with each said shifting member to move the same to an actuated position when the respective selector member is stopped; rotary drive means; first coupling means having a coupling position for connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; a shifting means operated by said shifting member of each of said selector members and being connected to said first coupling means for disengaging the same when a selector member is stopped; stop means operated by each of said keys, respectively, to move to a stop position for stopping the associate selector member whereby said selector shaft is disconnected from said drive means and stops in a selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels and moving to different coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; an actuating means including an actuator shaft and an actuator member operated when said actuator shaft is rocked; connecting means connecting said actuator shaft with said drive means and being controlled by said shifting means in such a manner that said actuator shaft is rocked by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; clearing means operated by said actuator shaft and connected to said stop means for moving the same from said stop position to a normal inoperative position; means for returning the shifting member of a selector member released by said stop means and said shifting means to home positions so that said shifting means returns said first coupling means to the normal coupling position connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; second coupling means operated by said feeler means in said different coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating member so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

13. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector mean and type wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing posi- 7 tion; two feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels, respectively, each feeler means being adapted to assume an inoperative position when the sensed type wheel is in one of said intermediate positions and to move to a coupling position when the sensed type wheel is in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; t'wo coupling means respectively operated by the feeler means Which senses a type Wheel in a printing position so that the respective coupling means connects the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

14. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type Wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; two positioning discs, each positioning disc being connected to one of said type wheels for rotation therewith and having a group of alternate notches and projections respectively corresponding to said types and printing positions of the respective type wheel; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector means and type wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; two feeler means for respectively sensing said positioning means, each feeler means being adapted to assume an inoperative position when sensing a projection, and to move to a coupling position when moving into a notch, said feeler means in a notch positioning the respective type wheel in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; two coupling means for connecting said supports with said actuating means and respectively operated by the feeler means which engages a notch in said coupling position so that the respective coupling means connects the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type Wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type Wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impace on said printing area.

15. A printing arrangement as set forth in claim 14 wherein said actuating means includes an actuating member; a shaft supporting said actuating member and said supports; wherein each of said coupling means is a coupling member turnably mounted on one of said supports, respectively, and having one end cooperating with the respective feeler means, and another end cooperating with said actuating means when said coupling member is actuated by the respective feeler means in said coupling position of said feeler means; and spring means connected to each support and to the corresponding coupling member for returning the same to a normal position of rest.

16. A printing arrangement as set forth in claim '14 wherein each of said notches has a wider outer portion and a narrower inner portion so that said feeler means moves to said coupling position when located in said wider outer portion, and locks the respective positioning means when located in said inner narrower portion so as to lock the respective type wheel in a printing position.

17. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type Wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; two positioning discs, each positioning disc being connected to one of said type wheels for rotation therewith and having a group of alternate notches and projections respectively corresponding to said types and printing positions of the respective type wheel; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position, said selector means including a selector, shaft, a plurality of selector members respectively correlated with said types and being mounted on said shaft angularly spaced about the same corresponding to said printing positions of said type wheels, a shifting member mounted on each selector member, means secured to said selector shaft cooperating with each said shifting member to move the same to an actuated position when the respective selector member is stopped; rotary drive means; first coupling means having a coupling position for connecting said drive means with said selector shaft; a shifting means operated by said shifting member of each of said selector members and being connected to said first coupling means for disengaging the same when a selector member is stopped; stop means'operated by each of said keys, respectively, to move to a stop position for stopping the associated selector member whereby said selector shaft is disconnected from said drive means and stops in a selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; two feeler means for respectively sensing said positioning means, each feeler means being adapted to assume an inoperative position when sensing a projection, and to move to a coupling position when moving into a notch, said feeler means in a notch positioning the respective type wheel in a printing position; actuating means including an actuator shaft; connecting means for connecting said actuator shaft with said drive means and including a coupling operated by said shifting means so that said actuator shaft is rocked by said drive means whenever a key is actuated and causes operation of said shifting means and of said first coupling means; two coupling means for connecting said supports with said actuating means and respectively operated by the feeler means which engages a notch in said coupling position so that the respective coupling means connects the support whose type Wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

18. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing area in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which diiferent type thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; two positioning discs, each positioning disc being connected to one of said type wheels for rotation therewith and having a group of alternate notches and projections respectively corresponding to said types and printing positions of the respective type wheel; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector means and type =wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; two feeler means for respectively sensing said positioning means, each feeler means being adapted to assume an inoperative position when sensing a projection, and to move to a coupling position when moving into a notch, said feeler means in a notch positioning the respective type wheel in a printing position; actuator means having a normal inoperative position, and an actuated position; connecting means for connecting said drive means for a limited time with said actuating means for causing movement of said actuating means to said actuated position and back to said inoperative position, said actuating means normally locking said feeler means and releasing said feeler means when moving to said actuated position; means urging said released feeler means to first move to said inoperative position and then, if not blocked by a projection of said positioning discs, to move to said coupling position; two coupling means for connecting said supports in said actuating means and respectively operated by the feeler means which engages a notch in said coupling position so that the respective coupling means connects the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

19. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having a normal inoperative position spaced in one direction from said platen and spaced equal distances from said printing are-a in a direction transverse to said one direction and along said platen; two type wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which difierent types thereof confront said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; positioning means connected to said type wheels for rotation therewith and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced element-s respectively arranged in angular positions corresponding to the printing positions of said type wheels; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector means and type wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels and said positioning means are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing said elements of said positioning means and moving to a coupling position when sensing said positioning means in an angular position in which one of said type wheels is in a printing position; actuating means operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; coupling means operated by said feeler means in said coupling position to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel; and means for moving during movement of each support toward said platen the respective support in said transverse direction to a position in which the selected type of the respective type wheel in the printing position is located opposite said printing area of said platen whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

20. A printing arrangement comprising, in combination, a platen having a printing area; two supports mounted for turning movement independently of each other toward and away from said platen and having -a normal inoperative position spaced from said platen; two type Wheels, each type wheel having a group of types and being mounted on one of said supports, respectively, for rotary movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said platen between a plurality of printing positions in which different types thereof con-front said platen, said axes of said type wheels coinciding in said inoperative positions of said supports, said type wheels being connected to each other for rotation in such a relative angular position that when one type wheel is in one of said printing positions, the respective other type wheel is in an intermediate position between two printing positions; a set of operator influenced keys including two groups of keys respectively representing the groups of types of said two type wheels; rotary selector means having a plurality of selector positions and being operatively connected with said type wheels for turning movement with the same so that in each of said selector positions one or the other of said type Wheels is in a printing position; drive means for rotating said selector means and type wheels; stop means operated by said keys for stopping said selector means in the selector position corresponding to the type represented by an actuated key so that said type wheels are stopped with one type wheel in a printing position; feeler means for sensing the positions of said type wheels for moving to difierent coupling positions when sensing one or the other type wheel in a printing position; actuating means; means conecting said actuating means with said drive means and including coupling means operatively connected to and controlled by each actuated key in such a manner that said actuating means is operated by said drive means whenever a key is actuated; and other coupling means operated by said feeler means in said difierent coupling positions to connect the support whose type wheel is in a printing position with said actuating means so that the respective support is turned with the type wheel thereof toward said platen, the axis of the type wheel on the support which has been turned being spaced from the axis of the other type wheel whereby the type represented by the actuated key and moving with the actuated support produces a printing impact on said printing area.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 864,430 8/ 1907 Richards 19-718 ROBERT E, PULFREY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRINTING ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PLATEN; TWO SUPPORTS MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT INDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PLATEN; TWO TYPE MEMBERS, EACH TYPE MEMBER HAVING A GROUP OF TYPES AND BEING MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS, RESPECTIVELY, FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF PRINTING POSITIONS IN WHICH DIFFERENT TYPES THEREOF CONFRONT SAID PLATEN; FIRST MEANS FOR MOVING ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS, AND SECOND MEANS FOR MOVING THE OTHER SUPPORT WITH THE RESPECTIVE TYPE MEMBER; A SET OF KEYS INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND GROUPS OF KEYS RESPECTIVELY REPRESENTING THE TYPES OF SAID TYPE MEMBERS; AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID FIRST GROUP OF KEYS WITH SAID FIRST MEANS, AND CONNECTING THE OTHER GROUP OF KEYS WITH SAID SECOND MEANS SO THAT UPON ACTUATION OF ANY KEY, ONE OF SAID SUPPORTS IS MOVED TOWARD SAID PLATEN WITH THE RESPECTIVE TYPE MEMBER IN A POSITION IN WHICH THE TYPE CORRESPONDING TO THE ACTUATED KEY CONFRONTS SAID PLATEN UNTIL THE TYPE REPRESENTED BY THE ACTUATED KEY AND MOVING WITH SAID ONE SUPPORT PRODUCES A PRINTING IMPACT ON SAID PLATEN. 